Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will make it his policy to use his Best Value powers to stop local authorities boycotting or divesting in companies based in, or which trade with, Israel.

Cabinet Office Procurement Policy Note 01/16 remains in force which prohibits procurement boycotts by public authorities against Israeli firms and firms which trade with Israel, unless formal government sanctions are in place Under the Local Government Act 1999, local authorities have a statutory Best Value duty to secure continuous improvement in how they exercise their functions, having regard to economy, efficiency, and effectiveness. The Secretary of State may intervene where there is significant, systemic, and extensive failure to meet this duty, based on a holistic assessment of all relevant information. The government has published guidance for local authorities on meeting the Best Value duty and on intervention.